The Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley (ASCMV), established in 2008, provides safe shelter for all lost, mistreated, and abandoned animals of the Mesilla Valley and surrounding communities. The ASCMV strives to meet the highest standards of humane animal care and husbandry, and to promote responsible pet ownership through public education and outreach. On average, the ASCMV houses 300 to 500+ animals at any given time.

Vanessa Chastain started working at the Animal Services Center of the Mesilla Valley in 2019. After working as a vet tech for the center, and then in animal control, Vanessa found her niche in her role as foster coordinator. In this position, Vanessa facilitates the transfer of shelter animals into foster homes as they await their forever families. 

Tell us about the ASCMV’s foster program. Our goal for every animal that enters the shelter is to have a chance at living a long and happy life. While we have the capacity to shelter hundreds of animals at a time, this environment can be stressful for pets, potentially increasing their vulnerability to illness. With limited human and financial resources, the center is unable to provide the ideal level of care for sick, injured, and very young—yet otherwise adoptable—animals. Foster homes offer a nurturing environment that aids recovery and prevents behavioral deterioration, in turn increasing an animal’s chances of adoption. Fostering frees up critical kennel space, which reduces euthanasia rates. It also allows the center to focus resources on animals with the greatest need.

What are the pros of fostering an animal? Fostering acclimates animals to home life, teaching basic manners and providing great bios and photos, helping them find permanent homes faster. For foster families, giving an animal the one-on-one care they deserve is a deeply rewarding experience. Plus, it’s a great way to enjoy the companionship of a pet without a long-term commitment. 

Is there a cost associated with fostering an animal? What kind of support / resources does the ASCMV provide to foster families? No, foster families do not bear any financial costs associated with their foster animal. The center provides all the basics—food, supplies, medical care, and 24/7 support. The team at the ASCMV is always here to answer questions, provide training tips, and make sure each foster home has what they need to succeed.

What challenges do foster families typically face and how can they overcome them? We do our best to match animals to the appropriate foster home based on the family’s fostering experience and individual lifestyle. Foster families may encounter shy animals, pets with minor behavioral issues, or those needing medical care. Our team is here every step of the way to provide support, coaching, and encouragement. Saying goodbye can also be tough, but many fosters find comfort in knowing they played a vital role in an animal’s journey to a forever home. Once in a while, we encounter “foster failures,” which occur when a foster family grows attached to their foster animal and ends up adopting them before another adopter or animal rescue shows interest. Despite the name, a life saved is never a “failure” in our eyes!

What are the requirements to become a foster parent? It’s simple! Individuals can fill out our foster application online or in person. After a quick orientation, we help match the right animal to each home. You don’t need special training, just a safe environment, some time, and a lot of love to give.

Can you share any memorable success stories? One of our favorites is Pennie, a blind dog who had spent over 600 days at the shelter. She was overwhelmed in the noisy kennel environment, but in foster care, she blossomed. She learned her way around the house, and she found her perfect forever home with a family who loves her just the way she is.

How can community members get involved if they are unable to foster animals themselves? Even if you can’t foster, you can still make a huge impact. We always need volunteers, donations of supplies, and help spreading the word about our animals on social media. We also have recently started offering our “Doggy Day Out” program, where community members can take a dog out for a day on the town. This helps shelter dogs practice being out of the shelter environment and in the community. Meanwhile, the community member gets to enjoy a companion for the day with no commitment! Regardless of your time or funds available, every effort counts!

What upcoming events or initiatives should the community be aware of? We’re hosting foster sleepovers, which give folks the opportunity to try out fostering for a weekend! Contact us for dates!

Is there anything else you'd like to share? Fostering saves lives. Whether it’s for a weekend, a few weeks, or longer, just one foster home can mean everything to an animal in need. We encourage everyone in the community to consider opening their hearts and homes, even temporarily. Together, we can build a more compassionate Las Cruces for pets and people alike.

3543 Bataan Memorial W

(575) 382-0018